A Missouri Senate committee will hear public testimony on Medicaid funding for family planning centers the first week in August.
The Senate Interim Committee on Medicaid Accountability and Taxpayer Protection will host its second hearing to gather public input on state funding for family planning centers affiliated with abortion services.
The committee, chaired by Sen. Bill White, R-Joplin, will hold the hearing for four hours, starting at noon Aug. 4 in Senate Committee Room 1 at the Capitol.
"The issue of taxpayer dollars going toward family planning facilities supported by abortion providers is troubling to say the least," White said in a news release. "Missouri is a pro-life state, and I want to give the public an opportunity to voice their opinions on whether our state should continue to allow tax dollars to go toward abortion providers, like Planned Parenthood."
Public testimony is limited to five minutes or less, depending on the number of requests to speak.
Written testimony can also be provided directly to White's Senate email address.
The committee is studying MO HealthNet, Missouri's Medicaid program, in an effort to make it more efficient and determine if public funds are being spent to support abortion services.
The first hearing was held July 13.
Federal law, under the Hyde Amendment, prevents Medicaid funds from being used to pay for abortion services except in the cases of endangerment to life, rape or incest.